Idorsia's chronic insomnia treatment wins 2024 Prix Galien Suisse innovation award

Idorsia’s innovative drug, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, has garnered the prestigious Prix Galien Suisse 2024 innovation prize in the 'Primary & Speciality' category. This annual accolade honors groundbreaking new medicines and diagnostics in the Swiss market, evaluated by a panel of notable Swiss scientists.

On June 21, 2024, Idorsia Ltd (SIX: IDIA), located in Allschwil, Switzerland, announced the recognition. The company’s innovative approach to treating chronic insomnia was acknowledged for its new mechanism of action. Alice Huisman, General Manager of Idorsia Switzerland and Austria, expressed pride in receiving the award, emphasizing the endorsement as a testament to Idorsia's commitment to pioneering advancements in Swiss healthcare. The new treatment is expected to significantly enhance patient care for those suffering from chronic insomnia. Huisman highlighted her team’s efforts in making the drug accessible to all Swiss patients.

Martine Clozel, MD, and Chief Scientific Officer of Idorsia, also expressed delight over the recognition. She recounted the research journey that began in 1998 when the orexin system was first described. The research aimed to understand how antagonizing the orexin system could help maintain natural sleep patterns in insomnia patients. The team’s objective was to create a dual orexin receptor antagonist that could induce sleep quickly and last throughout the night without causing residual effects the next morning. This endeavor required synthesizing and evaluating over 25,000 compounds to find the effective solution now honored with the Prix Galien Suisse.

Insomnia disorder, characterized by difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, affects an estimated 9.2% of the working-age population in Switzerland. Insomnia leads to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning, requiring treatment that improves both the quality and quantity of sleep while ensuring minimal next-morning side effects. Common treatments include sleep hygiene practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy. Idorsia's research has shown that poor sleep quality can adversely affect concentration, mood, and energy levels, thereby impacting overall daytime performance.

The orexin system plays a critical role in regulating wakefulness and sleep. It consists of two neuropeptides, orexin A and orexin B, which interact with receptors OX1R and OX2R to promote wakefulness. The research into this system revealed that overactivity in wakefulness-related brain regions contributes to insomnia. Idorsia’s team focused on developing dual antagonists that could effectively counteract this overactivity, ensuring a natural sleep cycle and reducing morning grogginess at optimal doses.

Founded with a vision to innovate within the biopharmaceutical field, Idorsia Ltd has a strong scientific foundation and a broad portfolio of drugs in development. Headquartered near Basel, Switzerland, the company excels in discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecules that offer transformative therapeutic solutions. Idorsia’s 25-year legacy of drug discovery, coupled with its experienced team and strategic location, positions it well to bring innovative medicines to market. The company, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since June 2017, employs over 750 highly qualified professionals dedicated to achieving ambitious goals.

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